Liverpool have announced that sporting director Michael Edwards, a crucial cog in their rise to the top of the European game, will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 42 year old will reach his 10 year anniversary with Liverpool later this month, a period in which the Reds have won acclaim across the sport for their shrewd recruitment. It has borne fruit on the field for Jurgen Klopp too with Premier League and Champions League trophies won in recent years.
Edwards, previously chief scout at Portsmouth and Tottenham, will be succeeded by his deputy Julian Ward, who joined Liverpool from Manchester City in 2012.
However, much of the focus will now be on where Edwards might land, particularly as his friend Eddie Howe has just been appointed Newcastle manager. Though there has been speculation over a possible move to the newly-monied Premier League club nothing has been agreed and his intention to leave at the end of the season may not mesh well with the Magpies' immediate need for senior leadership. Even if Tyneside is not where he lands, the recruitment chief will not be short of suitors.
"Ten years, that's a pretty long time in anyone's working life," Edwards wrote in an open letter to Liverpool supporters. "In football terms, it is an era in itself, particularly at a club like Liverpool where the expectations and standards are never anything other than as high as the supporters deserve. To be part of this club during this period has been a privilege due to the people I have been fortunate enough to work with and the success we have enjoyed.
"But all good things must come to an end and, in my case, I recently completed my final summer window as Liverpool sporting director. Even writing those words seems a bit surreal, but at the end of this season I will pack up my laptop and leave my office at the AXA Training Centre for the last time. Before I do so, though, I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the reasons why I'm moving on because I'm a great believer that supporters deserve clarity at times like this. The last thing I want is unfounded speculation, particularly as I know the Liverpool Football Club that I am leaving behind couldn't be in better hands."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added: "I wish Michael and his wonderful family all the best, for whatever they choose to do next. I know he isn't leaving immediately or in haste, which is cool, so we still have some time to work together. If we are as fortunate and blessed, as we have been so far, maybe we can create more special memories for our club in this remaining time.
"Julian and I have worked closely since he became loans and pathway manager, plus even more so in his wider role during the past 12 months."
Edwards joined Liverpool in 2011 as head of analytics under former director of football Damien Comolli and was promoted to his current position in 2016. His sizeable reputation is based on getting the biggest deals right for Liverpool. The vast majority of his most expensive signings -- Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah being the leading four -- forged the core of a side that won the Premier League and Champions League. Much of that expenditure was funded by shrewd decisions to cash in on the likes of Philippe Coutinho for $185 million whilst fringe players and youngsters commanded sizeable fees.
